Curb-service tray



ec. 3, 1929. i M. A. WITTLINGER 1,733,415

CURB- SERVICE TRAY Filed Nov. 21, 1927 Patented Dec. 3, 1929 MAX A.WITTLINGER, or vnniron, 'rnxns CURB-SERVICE TRAY Application filed.November 21, 1927. Serial No. 234,785.

The present invention relates to serving trays, and aims to provide atray or shelf provided with novel means for supporting it from the dooror side Wall of an automobile body, or similar support, the tray beingintended particularly for curb service in order that the occupants ofautomobiles may be served with lunch and refreshments convenientlywithout the liability of the tray' tilting or overturning. I

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent asthe description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction andarrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it beingunderstood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accom- 0 pauying drawing, wherein-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved curb service tray.

lFig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, portions broken away.

5 [any suitable tray of shelf 7 may be employed, and bars 8 are rivetedor otherwise secured to the lower surface of the tray and have dependingterminals 9 to which are secured rubber disks or cushions 10, by means 9of rivets 11. There are apair of depending terminals 9 at each end ofthe tray, in order that the tray may be supported in reversed positions,and either pair of terminal portions 9 may extend downwardly at one sideof the door or side wall 12 of an automobile body or other similarsupport, as seen in F ig. 2. The cushions 1O prevent injury to thefinish of the support, and the bars 8 which extend across the supportalso stiffen the tray.

A flange 13 of a depending plate 14 is riveted or otherwise secured tothe lower surface of the tray 7 between the bars 8, and a pair of arms15 is pivoted, as at 16, to the plate 14, with the arms at oppositesides of said plate. An arm 17 is pivoted, as at 18, between the freeterminals of the arms 15, and constitutes with said arms 15 a brace forbracing the tray or-shelf from the support. The arm 17 has a reducedfree terminal 19 to on which a ball or knob 20 of rubber or other .siteends of the tray,

equivalent material is secured, to contact- With the surface of thesupport 12 opposite to the portions 9, as seen in Fig. 2. The brace areprovided with outstanding finger pieces 23 for conveniently swinging thebrace in either direction. 1

When the brace is straightened out, the

dogs 21 are free' from the teeth 22, thereby permitting the brace toswing freely in either direction. When the tray is placed on thesupport, as seen in Fig. 2, with one pair of hook portionsor members 9bearing against one side of the support, the brace may be swung againstthe support by pushing on the finger pieces 23. When the knob 20contacts with the support further pre ssure on the finger pieces 23 willbreak the brace, to bring the corresponding dog 21 into engagement withone of the teeth or notches 22, as seen in Fig. 2, thereby preventingthe brace from swinging away from the support, and the brace willtherefore support the tray firmly in place. llrllllfill and refreshmentsmay thus be served to patrons while they are seated within anautomobile, known as curb service.

The brace supports the weight of the tray andobjects thereon, and toremove the tray it is only necessary to raise the end thereof oppositeto the support, thereby permitting the tray to be lifted from thesupport. The brace may then be straightened out to disen gage it fromthe teeth 22.

The brace is mounted midway between the opposite ends of the tray, sothat the tray may be used in reversed positions. The flange 13 has itsterminals extended into stops 2 1 in the path of the arm 17, so thatwhen the brace 'is swung toward either end of the tray, the

arm 17 contacting with the corresponding stop 24 will break the braceand cause the corresponding dog 21 to engage the plate 14 to hold thebrace in idle or folded position.

The parts 8, 14, 15 and 17 may be of sheet metal, and the several partsare readily manufactured and applied to different trays or.

shelves.

. Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is a 1. Atray having means to bear against one side of a support, a platedepending from the tray and having teeth, and a bracepivoted to saidplate and constituting pivotally connected arms, one of which is adaptedto contact with the opposite side of said support, said arm having a dogto engage said teeth when said arms are swung relatively to one another,so as to prevent the brace swinging away from the support.

2. A tra having opposite means engaging, in reverse positions of thetray, against one side of a support, a plate depending from the traybetween said means and having an arcuate series of teeth, and a bracepivoted to said plate and comprising pivotally connected arms, one ofwhich is adapted to contact with the opposite side of the support, saidarm having dogs to engage said teeth when said arm in swung in oppositedirections from a straight line position. with the other arm.

3. A tray, bars secured to the lower surface thereof and having oppositedepending terminal portions to bear against one side of a support, and abrace pivotally connected with the tray at a point between said terminalportions and adapted to swing in opposite directions for cooperationwith either .pair of said terminal portions and to contact with theopposite side of the support.

4. A tray having means to bear against one side of a support a bracepivotally connected with the tray and having a portion to contact withthe opposite side of the support,

and an arcuate toothed portion carried by the tray, said brace having adog to engage said toothed portion.

5 A tray having means to bear against one side of a support, a bracecomprising pivotally connected arms, one of which is pivotally connectedwith the tray, the other arm having a portion to contact with theopposite side of said sup ort, and an arcuate toothed portion carried bythe tray, the lastnamed arm having a dog to engage said toothed portionwhen said arms are swung relatively to one another.

6. A tray havin opposite depending portions either of whic is adapted tobear against one side of a support, and reversible bracing means carriedbythe tray between said portions for contacting with the opposite sideof the support, and cooperating with either of said depending portionsto mount said tray on said support.

In testlmony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature. MAX A. WITTLINGER.

